Just like any business traveler flying to different destinations for business purposes – the average Muslim business traveler will also have their own travelling preferences. The travel patterns and behaviour of the average Muslim business traveler has been the prime focus of the Muslim Business Traveler Insights 2016 (MBTI 2016) - launched by CrescentRating and Mastercard - that shows how the requirements and preferences of Muslim travelers will differ from regular travelers.

The research shows that 54 percent of Muslim business travelers prefer to travel in economy class and 22 percent prefer economy premium class – with 14 percent preferring to travel by business class even for long haul flights. This could depend on a range of factors such as - avoiding extra expenditure for the company or the change in ticket prices.

Features and Services

The following features and services listed below are considered important to the average Muslim business traveler when selecting a flight –

Availability of Halal food

Ticket prices

Travel dates

Transit time

Wi-Fi service

Seat assignment

Meal choices

Baggage fees

In-flight prayer facilities

Baggage limitations

In-flight entertainment

Choice of arrival airports

Airline award programs

Facilities or accommodations for special factors (e.g. the disabled or sick etc)

According to MBTI 2016, having Halal food options while on board is considered important to more than 50 percent of Muslim travelers. Before booking a flight, travelers can find out if Halal dining options are being served or if arrangements can be made. However, less than 40 percent are concerned about meal choices. More than 50 percent also make flight selections based on ticket prices – this factor might be a reason why majority of the travelers prefer to travel in economy class.

The travel dates and transits are important to a little more than 40 percent of Muslim business travelers – as most of them would try to travel during more convenient times and dates due to personal or business reasons.

Seating assignment matters to 40 percent of Muslim business travelers - this could simply be a matter of preference or comfort. In addition to this, in-flight prayer facilities are important to a little more than 30 percent when choosing a flight.
The report goes on to show that more than 30 percent of travelers feel that baggage fees are important with a little more than 20 percent being concerned about baggage limitations.
Finally, more than 20 percent of Muslim business travelers consider airline reward programs, airport choices and special accommodating facilities to be important deciding factors when selecting a flight.

Activities While On Board

Travelling to different destinations can be exhausting. So most business travelers choose this time to rest or occupy themselves with some activities listed below -

Sleeping

Watching movies

Reading a book

Reading the Quran or other Islamic material

Working

Playing games

The report shows that most travelers prefer to relax with 80 percent preferring to sleep onboard and with less than 40 percent choosing to work. Wi-Fi services are important to a little more than 40 percent, however, in-flight entertainment is important to less than 30 percent, but 70 percent will watch in-flight movies. More than 40 percent will also choose to read books or Islamic material during the flight.